‘No more f**king Tory cuts’: Scuffles at anti-austerity demo in London (VIDEO)

Protesters and police face off at the gates of Downing Street during a protest against the Conservative Party in central London, May 9, 2015. (Reuters / Stefan Wermuth) / Reuters

One protester and several law enforcement officials were injured during heavily-policed protests against the newly-elected Conservative government outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster.

“No more f**king Tory cuts!” and “Tories –
scum!” slogans were chanted repeatedly by a crowd of
anarchists, left-wingers and Scottish National Party (SNP)
supporters.

At least 17 people have been arrested following the scuffles,
Scotland Yard said. According to the Metropolitan Police, five
police officers were injured, and two of them were taken to
hospital.

Among the placards held by the supporters, who numbered in the
hundreds, were “Austerity kills” and “I pledge to
resist.”

There was a heavy security presence, including riot police and
officers on horseback. The law enforcement officials “kettled” –
or sealed off - segments of the crowd, which they adjudged to
contain potential troublemakers.

"One police officer and one member of police staff have been
injured policing this protest. Both are being treated in
hospital. The officer is being treated for a suspected dislocated
shoulder. The member of police staff is being treated for a cut
lip after being struck by an object.”

A similar protest in Cardiff attracted 200 people, with singer
Charlotte Church among the key speakers.

The Conservative Party managed to secure an overall majority and
a second term for David Cameron in Thursday’s election, improving
on their results in 2010.

A parallel demonstration by the far-right anti-immigrant English
Defence League in the suburb of Walthamstow was outnumbered by
anti-fascist counter-protesters, with police having to keep the
two groups apart.